Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
मित्रामित्रावनीहेमसाधनं रिपुमर्दनं दूरकार्याशुकारित्वं दण्डात्तद्व्यसनाद्धरेत्
mitrāmitrāvanīhemasādhanaṃ ripumardanaṃ dūrakāryāśukāritvaṃ daṇḍāttadvyasanāddharet
દંડ દ્વારા રાજા મિત્ર-અમિત્રની વ્યવસ્થા, ભૂમિ અને સોનાની પ્રાપ્તિ, શત્રુઓનું મર્દન તથા દૂરનાં કાર્યોનું પણ શીઘ્ર નિર્વહણ કરે; દંડવ્યવસ્થાથી અવ્યવસ્થાજન્ય આપત્તિ દૂર થાય છે.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Rajadharma discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Designing a calibrated punishment-and-enforcement regime to regulate internal order, manage allies/enemies, secure resources, and ensure rapid execution of state tasks.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Daṇḍa as Instrument of Order and Expansion","lookup_keywords":["daṇḍa","ripu-mardana","swift execution","rājadharma","discipline"],"quick_summary":"Effective daṇḍa secures political alignment, resources, and operational speed, and removes disorder-born calamities. Enforcement is presented as a governance multiplier."}
Weapon Type: Daṇḍa (staff/scepter as symbol of coercive power)
Concept: Daṇḍanīti: coercive authority, when properly applied, prevents anarchy and enables protection and prosperity.
Application: Create clear penalties, consistent enforcement, and accountable officers to prevent ‘vyasana’ (calamities) arising from disorder.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, Statecraft, and Punishment)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The king holds the scepter of justice while officers enforce law; envoys ride swiftly to distant posts; subdued enemies and secured land-gold are shown as outcomes of order.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with daṇḍa-scepter in a formal court, disciplined guards, messengers departing on horses, stylized enemies subdued, bold lines and saturated colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king enthroned with golden daṇḍa, gold-leaf highlights on regalia and weapons, orderly rows of soldiers and officials, symbolic piles of land deeds and gold","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene of justice: king instructing officers, panels showing ‘mitra-amitra regulation’, ‘ripu-mardana’, ‘dūra-kārya speed’, fine detailing and calm clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, administrative enforcement: qazi-like officials, soldiers, couriers, distant fort outpost in background, intricate court architecture, realistic motion of riders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दण्डात्तद्व्यसनाद्धरेत् → दण्डात् तत् व्यसनात् हरेत्
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rājadharma passages on daṇḍa, vyasana, and king’s protective duty
FAQs
It teaches daṇḍanīti (the science of punishment/deterrence): calibrated royal coercion enables control of allies and enemies, acquisition of resources (land and gold), suppression of hostile forces, and rapid execution of state operations.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves pragmatic governance doctrines—administration, security, revenue/resource control, and political order—showing it functions as a compendium of statecraft alongside ritual and spiritual topics.
By upholding daṇḍa in a dharmic manner, the ruler prevents adharma-driven disorder and its resulting suffering; protecting subjects and maintaining social order is treated as a meritorious royal duty.